Combined rail-brace and tie-plate.



J. W. STEPHENSON. COMBINED RAIL BRAGB AND TIE PLATE. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII no. 7, 1909. 9645325, Patented Ju1y12,1910.

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JOHN W. STEPHENSON, OF TOLEDO, OI-IIO,` ASSIGNOR T THE NATIONL MALLEABLE CASTINGS COMPANY, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, A OORPORATION OF OHIO.

COMBINED RAIL-BRACE AND TIE-PLATE.

ceases.

y clear, and exact -description, reference being had to the accompanying' drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a plan view partly in section of a rail brace and tie plate embodying my iny vention, shown applied to a track rail; Fig. 2 is a section on the line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the brace; Fig. 4 is a perspective view ofthe key; Fig. 5 is a plan View showing a modification; Fig. 6 is a section on the line vVI---VI of Fig. 5; and Figs. '7 and 8 are perspective views showing a modiied form of the brace and key, respectively.

My invention hasl relation to combined rail braces and tie plates, and is designed to provide a device of this character which will securely hold the rail against creeping, which will form an ehcient brace for the rail, and which will accord a maximum support for the rail head; and also to provide means 'of novel and eiiicient characterfor securing the brace against working or jarring loose.

Referring first to Figs. l, 2, 3 and 4, the numeral 2 designates the tie plate portion of the device, which is provided with the usual spike holes 3 and wlth the undercut li or flange 4, for one edge of the base 5 o the track rail 6. At the opposite side of the rail, the tie plate is formed with the upwardly projecting side lugs 7 which are reinforced by the side Webs or braces 8. These lugs are provided .with apertures for a tapered key 9.

10 'designates the brace, which is preferably a casting hollowed or cored out on its under side, as indicated at 11, and which is provided with a head portion 12, which fits underneath and forms a full support for the head of the rail. The outer lower face 13 of the brace is inclined downwardly and outwardlyand forms the seating face for the key, the apertures in the lug 7 for the key be1ng preferably formedwith a correspond ing incline. A lower outer portion .of the brace member is preferably of just about sufficient width to fit snugly between the two side lugs 7.

The smaller end portion of the key is cy-I Specication of Letters Patent.

Application led December 7, 1909. Serial No. 531,781.

Patented .rally ra, raro.

lindrical in form and is screw-threaded, as shown at 14, to receive a securing nut 15, which may be locked against working loose by means of any suitable nut-locking device.

In applying the device to a rail, the brace member is put in lace and the key .is then driven tightly to its seat, thus forcingthe brace tightly against the rail 6*, and underneath the head thereof. The key is then secured by the nut 15.

The brace member together with the tie plate preferably consists of malleable castln gNsly invention provides simple and efficient means for securely holding the rails against creeping and for properly bracing and supportlng the same. The key 9 can be driven very tightly against the brace member, thus causing the latter to take a firm bearing support underneath the rail head, and'when the key is properly driven and secured, it will be impossible for the brace to Work loosein service. The key may be tightened up at any time by further driving it to take up any wear of the parts which might occur.

In the form shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, the general construction and arrangement of the parts are the same as that above described,

except that instead of an angular key, suchas shown in Fig. 4, there is employed a tapered cylindrical key 9a, such as shown in Fig. 8. The face 13a of the brace member is preferably formed with a cylindrical groove y13", to form a seat for this key.

It will be obvious that various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts, without departing from the spirit and scope of my 1nvention, as defined in the appended claims. Thus the shape of the parts may be varied; more than one `of the brace members may be employed, and other forms of keys may be used.

I claim:

1. A rail brace comprising a base portion having raised side lugs formed with key openings therethrough, a brace member fittlng between said lugs and extending upwardly into supportlng enga ement with theunder side o the rail hea and a key .member driven through the openings in said lugs and having a Wedging bearing against 'the brace member, said key memberlhaving a threaded portion to engage a securing nut for the key, substantially as described.

2. A combined rail brace and tie plate comprising a tie late member having a railengaging lip or ange at one side of the rail and a pair of upwardly extending lugs at the opposite side of the rail, said lugs having openings therethrough, a brace member seating inwardly and upwardly against one side lof the rail, a-nd having a supporting engagement with the under side of the rail head a key driven through said lugs and engaging the brace member and screw bolt mechanism forming a part of the device and arranged to move the key endwise, substantially as described. r

3. A combined rail brace and tie plate comprising a tie late member having a rail' engaging lip or ange at one side of the rail, u wardly extending lugs at the op osite side oi the rail, said lugs having inc ined key openings therein, a brace member seated between said lugs and having the outer face of its lower portion inclined outwardly and downwardly, and seating upwardly in supporting engagement with the head of the rail a tapered key driven through said lugs and engaging the inclined face of .the brace member and a screw bolt mechanism forming a part of the key and engaging the plate arranged to move" the key endwise, substantially as described.

4. A combined rail brace and tie plate comprising a tie i.plate member having a railengaglng lip or ange at one side of the rail,

upwardly extending lugs at the opposite side l o the r`ail,1 said lugs having inclined key openings therein, a brace member seated bethe combination with a tie plate member' having raised side lugs, of a brace member arranged to lit between the lugs and the rail and seating upwardly into supporting engagement with the head of the rail, said lugs having inclined openings, a tapered key arrangedI to lit in the openings, and screw boltmech'anism engaging the tie plate and arranged tol move the tapered key downwardly and 1 inwardly; substantially as. described.

6. A combined rail brace and tie plate, comprising atie plate member having upwardly projecting side lugs with openings in alinement, a brace member itting between \the lugs and the l rail and arranged to seat upwardly against the head of the rail, and

a tapered key having screw bolt mechanism and arranged to t in the apertures of the lugs and against the brace member; substantially as described. y l

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN w.' s'rEPHENsoN.

Witnesses:

J. J. MANNING, MARK KUEHN; 

